Whatever Happened to the "Essence of a Woman"

Allow me to use that statement by 1999 Miss Universe first runner-up Miriam Quiambao who reacted to the rule change by the Miss Universe Organization allowing males-who-lost-their-manhood-but-who-did-not-really-gain-womanhood, a.k.a. "transgenders", to join the world-renowned pageant. In one of the tweets of the Filipina beauty queen to Miss Universe co-owner Donald Trump, she quoted "Whatever happened to the essence of a woman?"

It all started with Miss Universe Canada contestant named Jenna Talackova (called Walter Talackova[1] in "his" younger years), when "he" was initially disqualified for the Miss Universe Canada which will be held on May 19th of this year because "he" did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form[2]. But due to media outcry[3], then-Walter-now-Jenna would be allowed to compete in this year's pageant, should "he" meet the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions[4].

Supposing a male have legally fixed his gender to be female, I am bound to think if he ever truly becomes a female. By paper, yes. He may be a she! So this man, by the power of pen and paper, calls himself, and demands others to call him a "She-man". He acquires the guts to call himself a woman, just because he lost his male reproductive organ. But did he gain womanhood by losing his manhood? No. Not at all. He may have larger breasts than he had before, but he does not have the female reproductive organ, which scientists call the ovary.

This brings to my memory that one classic answer by the beautiful Sushmita Sen, the 1994 Miss Universe Queen from India. In that competition, all the three finalists were asked the same question, "What, for you, is the essence of being a woman?" And the best answer came from that stunning lady from India, befitting the Miss Universe crown, who answered,

       "I think, being a woman, by itself, the very fact that you're a woman is a 
         gift of God, which all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a 
         mother, and is a woman. And a woman is one who shares love, and who 
         shows a man what love, caring and sharing  is all about. That is the 
         essence of a woman." [It was delivered more powerfully in the video.
         Watch it HERE.]

The president of the Miss Universe Organization Paula Shugart said, "We have a long history of supporting equality for all women and this was something we took very seriously."[5] Very seriously, eh? But failing to consider that transgenders were naturally born men? And that these are not truly women because they do not have that biological organ which distinguishes a woman from a man, that which gives a woman the capacity to bear a child. She said that this policy change was a result of their ongoing discussions with GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Allaince Against Defamation) [6]. Yeah, right. A "result" of discussion with GLAAD, but an "insult" to real and natural women.

Rules are set up and revised by those on top. So if the ones on top do not know how to differentiate a woman from a man, and the beauty of the man-who-looks-like-a-woman from the living beauty of the true and natural woman, then this very prestigious pageant, now filled with controversy, may not be as awesome as before. Soon, this competition may have the reputation of not having a good reputation anymore. Whatever the policies turn out to be and however the populace accept or reject these policies, the truth remains that these men, whose looks can be deceiving, are still not biologically women (however legally they may be). Miss Universe may get wider acceptance or reduced viewership, nevertheless, the dignity of women joining this pageant is lost, rather than promoted.

In the recent news that went into the airwaves, this new policy is up for gear next year. And before that time comes, brace yourselves with the headlines "Man defeats women in women's pageant" or "Man slams women's face in Miss-ter Universe".




[1] Photo of Jenna Talackova as a Boy Revealed. http://www.insideedition.com/news/7975/photo-of-jenna-talackova-as-a-boy-revealed.aspx Accessed April 18, 2012
[2] Jenna Talackova will not compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada competition. http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/2012/03/jenna-talackova-will-no-longer-compete-in-the-2012-miss-universe-canada-competition/  Accessed April 18, 2012
[3] cf. Jill Serjeant. Miss Universe Changes Rules to Include Transgender Women. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/entertainment-us-missuniverse-transgende-idUSBRE8390N320120410  Accessesd April 18, 2012
[4] Miss Universe Organization -- Statement Regarding Jenna Talackova. http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/2012/04/miss-universe-organization-statement-regarding-jenna-talackova/  Accessed April 18, 2012
[5] Jill Serjeant. Miss Universe Changes Rules to Include Transgender Women. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/entertainment-us-missuniverse-transgende-idUSBRE8390N320120410  Accessesd April 18, 2012
[6] GLAAD, Miss Universe announce policy change to allow transgender women. http://globalbeauties.com/blog/2012/04/glaad-miss-universe-announce-policy-change-to-allow-transgender-women/  Accessed April 18, 2012

Of Ectopic Pregnancies, Pre-Marital Sex, Choice, and Separation Between the Church and the State

I have read a Facebook thread regarding RH Bill and some issues have not been put to an end. I just want to try to put my stand on some points on the thread.*

First, I do not wish to comment on one’s experience on the pre-marital sex, because whatever a person does or have done before, does not affect the RH Bill. But the RH Bill consequently affects what a person does or will do, as it affects how a person decides.

Second, I do not want to talk about the Trinitarian belief as this is entirely off the topic. This thread is initially intended for the RH Bill issue. A new thread on the Trinity would be better to avoid spurious topics coming out.

POINT # 1: Ectopic Pregnancy

I think the RH Bill has nothing to do with this one. If a woman has ectopic pregnancy, neither a condom, a hormonal contraceptive, an intrauterine device, an injectable, or tubal ligation, would be a solution to this problem. Science, itself, will tell us only two steps how to solve this: remove the diseased tissue of the fallopian tube, or administer a drug that causes chemical abortion. Of the following provided for in Section 9, HB 96 (aka. RH Bill) and the deliberations in the Congress that follow, nothing solves the problem of ectopic pregnancy, unless if “methotrexate” or “microsurgery” are included for abortion purposes. And if they were included, then a lot more reason, we should reject the RH Bill, as it includes abortion drugs or abortion procedures.

POINT # 2: Pre-marital Sex

The pro-life side, that is anti-RH, has the conviction that legislating the RH Bill will increase promiscuity, thus increased pre-marital and extra-marital affairs. It is quite worth noting also that the pro-RH side believes that the RH Bill will not result to increased cases of pre-marital sex. In Sec. 4(o) of SB 2865 (a.k.a. RH Bill), Reproductive Health “implies that people are able to have a safe and satisfying sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do  so.” It is imperative, then, that the aim is to increase sexual activity among people, and the people are given the freedom “WHEN” to do so. This means, they can do so before marriage, thus pre-marital sex. They can also do so, outside of marriage, thus extra-marital affair. Moreover, the people are given the freedom “HOW OFTEN” to do so. This means, they can increase sexual activity as they want to. And since the people will be given condoms and contraceptives, which give a sense of security from getting pregnant, it is but proper to assume that there will be increased sexual activity. Thus, INCREASED PRE-MARITAL SEX and INCREASED EXTRA-MARITAL AFFAIRS.

POINT # 3: Choice

The right to choose is an inalienable right. This is not a point of debate. When the RH Bill is put to the trash bin, the right to choose is not trampled upon. Any woman may still use a contraceptive. Any man may still buy condoms at the nearest convenience stores. The problem is if the RH Bill is passed into a law. Catholic healthcare service providers, who choose to refuse to extend   healthcare services, out of conscientious objection, and refuse to refer to another healthcare service provider out of the same reason (cf. Sec. 28 (a) 3, HB 4244, RH Bill), shall be penalized by imprisonment, or a fine, or both (cf. Sec. 29). The inalienable right to choose of the Catholic healthcare service provider is now trampled upon!

POINT # 4: Separation Between Church and State

This does not at all imply that the clergymen, priests, pastors, and/or ministers are prohibited from speaking against any bill or government policy which they think is not good for the constituents and would destroy the moral fiber of the nation. Remember, these ministers are citizens of this country, too! And these pastors also have the freedom of speech. This constitutional rule means that the State does not have to tax a single Church; no single religion will be promoted by the State; no funds will be used for a particular Church. This is what is guaranteed by the Constitution.

There are still a lot more to say about this RH Bill. But I just used the ones which have been mentioned in the thread. I have excluded of course the issues on religion.






*you may fing the thread here: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3038875739595&id=1494063599&notif_t=close_friend_activity Accessed April 11, 2012

The HEART is a Muscle Too

In the far away land of Tingloy
In the island of Maricaban
Of the province of Batangas
Off the coast of the peninsula of Calumpan

More than twenty men
Filipino and foreign
Sailed off with a priest
Named Fr. Eric Nielsen.

The Holy Week is a time of prayer and silence
A time of reflection and meditations
A time to ponder to know yourself,
to know God and His creations.

It can also be a time
Of missionary efforts
Catechizing people,
Teaching them Catholic truths.

The limited accessibility of the island
And the seemingly endless roads
Did not seem to bother
The missionaries' zeal and hopes

The heart of a missionary
Is inflamed with ardent love
Expressed through words
Manifested in good works

"Walking kilometers for Mass,"
as Martin Vidanes puts it,
"is a cardiovascular exercise
for both the body and the soul."1

I went to the Missions
And I worked out
And my 'heart' is healthier
'Coz it's a muscle too!

[1]   http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3650839395178&set=a.1092122668859.2015994.1400282315&type=1&theater [retrieved April 9, 2012)